Sustained Dialogues
Allegheny College fosters a vibrant and inclusive community through the engagement of its community in dialogues that promote strong relationships and foster respect for each individual and their ability to create positive change.
History of Sustained Dialogues from SD:
“Dialogue is a process of genuine interaction through which human beings listen to each other deeply enough to be changed by what they learn. Each makes a serious effort to take other’s concerns into their own picture, even when disagreement persists.
No participant gives up their identity, but each recognizes enough of the other’s valid human claims so that they will act differently toward the other.” –Dr. Harold Saunders, Founder of SDI
Sustained Dialogue® is a dialogue-to-action process that transforms relationships and creates community change.Sustained Dialogue® is rooted in the conflict resolution methodology of Dr. Hal Saunders, a senior U.S. diplomat involved in Middle East peace negotiations. Hal was a key drafter of the Camp David Peace Accords.
During Hal’s work in international negotiations, he observed patterns in how participants’ relationships evolved. He distilled those observations into two key concepts. Those key concepts provide the foundation for the Sustained Dialogue® process. The first concept is a set of replicable stages that groups move through as they address their conflicts. The second is a framework for analyzing challenges in group relationships.
These two concepts provide the foundation for the goals of the Sustained Dialogue® process which are:
Goal 1: transforming relationships among committed and willing participants
Goal 2: creating informed community change through collaborative action steps
In communities, dialogue organizers gather participants from diverse backgrounds into small groups. These groups meet regularly to build relationships and address issues affecting their communities.
For more information: Sustained Dialogue Institute
- How to participate: Please contact abutcher@allegheny.edu for more information or registration or participation
- Become a Moderator:
- 10 week Fall Skill Series beginning September 2, 2025
- Joining a dialogue:more information to come
- Become a Moderator:
Activities
- Welcome Class of 2029: August 13th, 15th and 23rd: Dialogue Unplugged: First Year Orientation Dialogue introduction
- August 15th, 2025: Conflict Resolution Training for Resident Advisor Staff
- Pop Up Dialogues (60-90 minute mini dialogues designed to allow space for the campus community to come together and find common ground on topics of difference):
- April 11, 2025: Campus Dialogue on Difference
- March 31, 2025: Belonging and Community
- February 26, 2025: Post Inauguration
- November 6, 2024: Post Election Dialogue
- Dialogue Series
- Allegheny Staff on Community- met from October 2024-April 2025 for 60-70 minutes each session. Discussed current issues within the Allegheny Community and ways to bring the campus together
